Chain-grate mechanism.



P. L. CROWE.

CHAIN GRATE MECHANISM.

APPucATlN 'man MAYG, 1909.

Patented Jan. 18, 1916.

5 SHEETS-SHEET l.

NVENTOR.

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WVN 1255355.

'mE COLUMNA PLANUGRADH 60 WASHINGTUN. D. c.

P. L. CROWE.

CHAIN GRATE MECHANISM.

APPucATlN man MAY 6, 190,9.

Patented Jan.18,1916.4

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

6 FN F NOGRAPH co.. wAsmNu'roN.

P. L. CROWE.

CHAIN GRATE MECHANISNI.

APPLICATION FILED MIU/6.1909.

Patented @11.18, 1916.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3* P. Il.. CR-OWE.

CHAIN GRATE MECHANISM. APPLICATION FILED MAY 6. 1909.

Patented Jan. 18, 1916;

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4A H94 6o 6i. HQE

THE coLUMmA PLANQGRAPH co., WASHINGTON. D. c.

P. L. CROWE.

CHAIN GRATE MECHANISNI. APPLICATION FILED MAY 6. Isos.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

Patented Jan. 18, 1916 PAUL L. OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY.

cnam-Ganan MncHANrsivi.

Spleccation of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan.' 18, 1916.

Application filed May 6, 1909. Serial No. 494,315.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, PAUL L. Crown, citizen of theV United States, and resident of Jersey City, in the county of Hudson and State of New` Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Chain- Grate Mechanisms, of whichthe following is a specification.

My invention relates to chain grate inechanical stokers, and the object is to provide a stoker with new and useful mechanisms for increasing stoker and furnace eiiiciencies. Y i

"Further objects are: To provide means for automatically releasing the `driving power Whenever the traveling grate is checked or stopped by `an excess of load or other causes.` To provide means for carrying the grate bars on nthe traveling chain for giving'the grate surface an undulating motion for facilitating and increasing the combustion ofthe fuel. To` provide means for retaining the links lof the cable chain at an angle of,` 45 to the horizontal when the chain grate is moved. 'Toprovide means for carrying specially tine fuel on a burning surface having tine air spaces. To provide means for distributing the fuel onthc traveling grate to the proper thickness. To provide means for delivering the ashes on the dump plate, and mounting and operating the dump plate. To regulate the uneven rolling surface of` .the traveling chain. To provide means .for ktaking up the slack of the grate chain.

Referring to the drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation partly yin'section of'my ,-mechanical stoker .embody-ing krmy "improvements. Fig. 2 is a front .elevation partly in section. Fig. 3 iscross section of the fur,- nace showing the ,sprocket wheels, grate bars, traveling chain, roller, and angle iron side plates. Fig. 4 is a 4cross section kof one end of the bars attached .to a .chain having links positioned at an angle of 45o to ythe horizontal, on` the groovedl intermediate pcddlers. Fig. 5 is a detached view of vone of the grate bars attached toa chain hav.- ing links positioned at a a5 degree angle tothe horizontal, and also the grooved intermediate peddlers. Fig. V6v is an enlaroed fragmentary view of fthe side of the ur.- nace showing the adjustable bearing. Fig.

7` a front view of the furnace showing ad];ustable bearing; Fig. 8 is a fragmentary .view ofthe top` of one of the adjustable Fig. 14 is a side view of the dump plateV mechanism. Fig. l'is a plan view of the dump plate with dump plate frame removed. Fig. 16 is a fragmentary side view, partly in section, of the lfront end of the lfurnace showing the fuel hopper adjusting mechanism in a raised position. Fig. 17 is a side elevation of the automatic power releasing mechanism. Fig. 1S is an end View of Fig. 17. Fig. 19 is an enlarged sectional view of the power releaser as shown in Fig. 17, with externally threaded ball stem.' Fig. 20y is a section on line A-fB, Fig. 19. Fig. 21 is a section on line C-D, Fig. 19. Fig. 22 is a section on line E-F, Fig. 19. Fig.

23 is a lsectional elevation of the power re leaserl with exterior threaded ball stem.

Fig. ,24 is a sectional elevation of the lower portion of the power releaser. Fig. 25 is a detached elevation of the dump plate operating arm. Fig. 26 is a sectional view showing the manner the shield is secured to the under side of the upper angle irons.

The furnace 2 supports angle irons 8 1, which are supported intermediately by standard 6 are 1 the traveling chains. nach link of said chains is set at an angle of 45 degrees. The chains travel over the sprocket wheels 7 yand grooved wheels 8. The grooved wheels are mounted on rods 9 supported'by the angle irons 3. lhe sprocket wheels 7 are mounted on the shaft 10, which is supported in movable bearings 11, slidablymounted7 between the upper and lower portions of the housing 12, which is secured tothe .front of the furnace. vThese movable bearings are adjusted and kheld by pins 13, inserted .into :holes 14, cut in the angle iron 15, which is secured to the Ilower .half of the housing. The upper half ofgthehousing vat l5a is also provided with holes staggered in position for finer adjustment of the movable bearingV by insertion of pins. rlhe adjustable bearings permit the chains being readily tightened should they become slackened from use.Y

Each sprocket wheel comprises a hub 7, which forms the bulk of the Wheel. VAt or near the outer end of the hub are formed. the sprocket grooves '17 yconforming to the" longitudinal contour of the links 6Y of the chain. vSaid sprocket grooves arc formed to retain the links of the said chain at a 45 degree angle. The angle of said links of the chains V6 necessitates the forming of a double row of sprocket grooves'l? Varound the wheel, each groove being in a staggered position to each other in the contour of the said wheel. 1

In the contour of the sprocket and between the ends of the grooves are formed recesses 19, said recesses receiving the lower ends of the downwardly projecting hooks i Q0 on the grate bars 22.

1 so as to form the enlarged portion 23, on

1 the grooves.

Y so cient length on one side of the grooves to rl "he diameter of the hubr is proportioned each side Aof the sprocket grooves, giving ample strength to the sprockets formed by rl`he hub 7 is given a su insure substantiability on the shaft, and also a sufficient key surface thereon.

The recesses 19, Vformed in theperiphery 7 Vof the wheel are adapted to accommodate Va gratev bar 22, one end 24 of which being the chain engaging hooks 20 of the grate bars. These hooks extend into the links of each Vchain vbut do not interfere with the operation of said chain because of theV recesses in the construction of the sprocket wheels. This construction forms a very desirable means for operating a traveling grate, being simple and strong, and allowing the grate bars tobe easily detached and replaced on the chains. v

Each of the links of the chains 6 support secured to a link bv an integral hook or nose :20 extending downward. The other end of the grate bar is attached to a link a divided detachable pin 25, extending downward on'an incline. The upper end of Athis pin 25 extends upward from the links into the grate bar 25a and is held to the said grate bar by a cotter pin passing through holes in the stem of the said grate bar and holes in the upper portion of the divided detachable pin. This mode of securing the grate bar to the chains is alternately arranged (seeuFig. 12), tending thereby to secure the Ylinks of the chains loosely in a 45 degreeposition.` As the bars travel through the combustion chamber with the traveling chains, theyhave an individual movement, that 1s, raised andA lowered alternately `by the links of the chains, as the said links the angle iron 3.

pass over the intermediate peddler wheels 2G, which are mounted on the rods 27, secured to the angle iron 3. Each of the peddlers 2G is provided with an enlarged portion 2S, and a grooved portion 29 (see Fig.

enlarged portionA 28 of the peddler, it will hold the end of the bar attached to that link up higher than the rest of the bars, but

``5). i Now; as oneof the links passes over the.

made hollow with solid heads, and are inl j tended to revolvev loosely on the shaft or rod 3G, which is supported by they angle iron 4. The fuel is fed upon the grate bars through the hopper 37 secured tothe furnace front. Within the hopper is pivotally z mounted the hopper plate 38, which is raised and lowered by the armV 39, which in turnis -pivotally supported Vat each end in the up- .per portion of the housing.Y To` one end of the arm 39 outside of the housing is attached a lever 40 which is used for turning said arm in order to adjustthe position of the hopper plate 38'in the hopper.

On the top of the hopper Vplate 38 is mounted the sliding plate 41held in position thereon by slots cut in said sliding plate, and also by studs fastened in the hopper plate. The sliding plate 41 is slid up and down on the hopper plate by the crank arm 42 mounted on the shaft 43 supporting the hopper plate, and this crank is connected to Ythe sliding plate by links 44. 0n the outside of the crankarm shaft 43 is mounted a lever .45, and by moving same the slide may be drawn upward or downward on the hopper plate the required distance.V (See Figs. 1

and 16.) The object of the hopper plate and its sliding plate is to regulate the thickness of the fuel on the grate surface. The

plate is raised or lowered. When the hopper plate is raised and its sliding plate drawn up, the interior of the furnace is readilyY accessible.

50 isthe dump plate frame pivoted on oscillate the lap bars 60, the inner ends of which rest on the surfaces of the grate bars Q2. The ends of the'lap bars are united by Aa tongued and grooved connection 62. `Figs. 1 4.)

(See

Said frame carries the 4shaft 51 upon which are mounted and also sliding plate when operated regulates the Lhopper plates position to the fuel when said is the dump plate mounted -on the pivoted shaft 72b (see F igs.'13 and 14) mounted in the angle iron 3. On the dump plate frame 50 is fastened the lever 53 extending underneath the same. An olfset 72a is cut in the dump plate at each end so that when the dump plate is opened, the shoulder 74 of the offset will depress the lever 53 and tilt the dump `plate frame upward for producing an upward and downward eccentric motion to the rear of the lap bars.

The dump plate 70 is operated by therod 75 pivoted in the lower angle iron 1. The upper member 70 of said rod is bent at right angles so as to rest on the under side of the dump plate (see Figs. 25 and 2). The lower member-77 of said rod is connected to one end of an operating angle bar 72 which is connected at kthe opposite end to a crank arm 78 on stud 79, which is supported on the lower portion of the housing. This stud 79 is provided with a square end yto receive a lever arm T1 by means of which the said dump plate can be raised yor lowered.

The sprocket wheel shaft 10 has mounted on one end of it the gear box S0, whichsupports the ratchet wheel shaft 81, the ratchet wheel 82, and the dividedbracket 83. The

bracket 83 supports the pawl 84, and contains the ball bearing 35. This divided bracket is held together' by bolts. To the divided bracket is attached the power releaser 90 (see Figs. 17 to 24:). This regulator is connected to the hollow eccentric rod 92 which is attached to the motor for driving the stoker. The lower extension of the rod 92 is attached to the upper head 93. This head is attached to a spring 91. The lower end of this spring is attached to the lower head 95. Both of these heads have central openings, through whichvpass the ball stem 9G. To the lower end of this stem is secured a ball 97, which is intended to operate in the ball bearing seat of the divided bracket S3. The stem 9G is provided with a slot 98. The head 93 has anaperture 99 with `locking portion 100.

Then the grate is obstructed, itshould be understood thatthe spring 94; in the fform shown in Fig. 19 will be compressed and the hook formed on the lever 102 will `move in the slot in the head 93, thereby merely causing the ltube 92 to `compress the spring without moving the arm 83. In the `form shown in Fig. 23, the spring 90 will becompressed when the grate is obstructed since the head 90 will be forced downwardly upon the spring90, and thelever 91 will be forced out of contact with the collar92. The collar, will however, limit the outward movement of the head 90 as the 4lever 91 will come in contact therewith' as is clearly shown in Fig. y23. y

102 is alocking lever ypivoted to either heads 93-95. Thisleverzhas va lockingr fportion which engages with the locking portions of either` head. (See Fig. 19 for upper loekiiig fand Fig. 24: for lower locking). The locking portion of the lever 102 is adapted to yenter a suitable slot in the head 93.

105 is vana'djustable nut threaded on the ball stem 9G.

106 is a lock nut. Between the lower head 95 and adjustable nut 105 is positioned a cushion for taking up the shock.

In case of any obstruction to the working of the stolzer, the excess of pressure on the spring 9d in consequence thereof will necessarily compress same. This will release the locking portion' of the heads from the locking yportion of the lever 102, which instantly separates itself from the heads and allows the tubular rod to -move freely on ythe ball stein which will now cease to move and remain ait rest. No action is now produced on the ratchet wheel Vand no motion is transmitted to the traveling chain. The power can continue in motion and the stoker is inoperative. As soon as the obstruction is removed thezlever is brought back into place on lthe headsandfthe power again transmitted to the stem, ratchet wheel and stoker as before. f

The modified form of power releaser in Fig. 23 shows the locking lever attached to the `upper 4head and locks into an annular groove inthe lower head.

Instead of having the strain of the power exerted on the threads of the stem as in Fig.19, I, in Fig. 24, have transferredit into a separate head, 2706, which is integral with the stein, for adjusting the extension of the stein, the :threads are internally posi tioned in the head, which is also the ball stem.

Underneath the upper angle iron 3 is positioned the air shield 120 (see Figs. 1 and 26.). This shield is connected to said angle iron by bolts 121, and is positioned on Sarneat the front of the furnace. This shield prevents the air passing through the grate bars 22 into the green fuel, so that the fuel may more readily ignite at that portion of the furnace. The shielding of the air prevents the radiation of the heat from the arch above the grate bars being reduced.

Thelower portions of the housing 12 are made triangular in shape and are supported by the angle iron 12a. Said angle 12a is positioned vertically on the boiler front 2a, Fig. 1. The upper portion of the housing 12 is connected to the angle iron 1221 which forms the ends of the fuel hopper and the upper :guide to the front shaft bearing 11.

The hook and socket portions of the grate bar at the opposite ends thereof 21 are flared outward and above the curved por tions of the grate chain links forming shoulders 21a, which cause the bar to rest in a right angled positonto the chain, the lower lao hollow'portions of these shoulders formed on each side ofthe bar being adapted and conform with the contour of the ends of the links of the said chains.

l/Vhat I claim is:

l. The combination of a traveling grate,V

means for operating said grate including mechanism for releasing the power from said travelingchain grate when-said grate is unduly obstructed, consisting of an upper and lower head piece having each a central oriice,:a coil spring engaging said heads, a

llocking leverpivotally mounted on one of a plane and a grooved portiona chain grate mounted 4in, they grate frame comprising grate bars, chains upon which the bars are mounted, the chains in operative position having links positioned at'substantially 45o to the horizontal, said links supported on the rollers with the alternate links engaging the grooved portions ofthe roller, and the otherv links engaging the plane portions whereby Vthe grate is given an undulating motion as it travels along the grate frame.`

3. In a stoker mechanism, a furnace, upper and lower angle irons mounted within said furnace, a dump plate frame pivoted on said upper angle iron, a dump plate pivoted onsaid angle iron adapted to act against said dump plate frame, means for opening and closing said dump plate comprising a rod pivoted to the lower angle iron, said rod having an upper and a lower member, said upper member resting against the upper side of said plate, said lowermember pivotally connected to the operating 'angle bar, a lever fulcrumed on Athe outside of said furnace, said operating bar connected to said lever, means for tilting said frame, and means for feeding ashes on said dump plate consisting of a progressive feed grate operating within the furnace, means for operating said grate.

4. In a stoker mechanism, a furnace, upper and lower angle irons mounted within said furnace, a shaft pivotally'mounted on said upper angle irons, a dump plate frame mounted on said shaft, lap bars loosely pivoted on said frame, a dump plate having end off-set, a lever arm mounted on said frame, said arm passing into said off-set in said dump plate, so that said plate when open will depress said lever thereby automatically agitate said frame and lap bars, means for opening and closing said dump plate, and

means for feeding ashes on said dump plate ing triangular'in shape, the kupper portionY of said housing comprising a fuel hopper, mechanism for feeding the fuel in said housing hopper, consisting of a hopper plate pivotally mounted in said housing hopper, a sliding plate moimted on said hopper plate, means for moving said sliding plate consisting of a lever arm' pivotally connected to said plate and fulcrumed within said housing, means of raising and' lowering the lower end of said hopper plate consisting of an arm mounted on a fulcrumed lever, said arm adapted to act against the underside of said hopper plate, saidvlever of said arm adapted to be operated ,outside said housing hopper.

6.` Thevcombination of a traveling grate frame, chain supporting `rollers mounted thereon, each roller providedjwith a plane and grooifed portion, a chain gratev mounted in the grate frame, said chain provided with links positioned at substantially 450V to the horizontal axis of said links, the alternate links rengaging the grooved portions of the rollers, and the other links engaging the plane portions thereof, whereby the grate is given an undulating motion as the same travels along the grate frame.

7. The combination of a-traveling grate frame, rollers carried thereby, sprockets car ried thereby, a chain grate working upon said rollers and sprockets, said chain grate having the links thereof extending at an any gle substantially 45' to the horizontal axis of said rollers and sprockets, grate bars carried'by said chain grate,'and" said rollers provided with means for causingsaid chain grate and grate bars to be given an undulating Amotion as the same travel along the' grate frame.

8.*In a device of the class described, an endless traveling grate, an endless chain, a frame, sprocket wheels carried .by said frame, sprocket wheels and comprising links ex tending approximately 45 to the horizontal axis ofthe chain, said sprocket wheels pro-` vided with means for interlocking with the links of said chain, grate bars, each grate bar provided with a downwardly extending connecting ear for fitting in one of said links of said chain and holding the same against lateral movement relative to said chain, and peddler Wheels arranged beneath the grate, said peddler wheels being so consaid chain :traveling over said` structed as to give an undulatory motion to the grate bars as the same travel along said grate frame.

9. The Combination of a traveling grate frame, a chain grate, said grate comprising a plurality or' chains having links arranged at 45C to the horizontal axis thereof, grate bars carried by said grate chains7 each grate bar provided with an ear extending downwardly at an angle of approximately 45o to the longitudinal axis of the bar, and said ear provided with an enlarged portion upon its inner face for interlocking in the links of one of said chains whereby said grate bar is held against transverse movement relative to said Chain.

l0. The combination of a traveling grate frame, a chain grate comprising a plurality of chains, the links of said chains arranged at an angle of approximately 450 to the horizontal axis thereof, grate bars Carried thereby, each grate bar provided With` an integral depending ear at one end extending downwardly at an angle of approximately 45 to the horizontal axis of said grate bar, and a detachable ear at the opposite end of said grate bar, each integral ear being provided with an enlarged knob upon its inner face adjacent the lower end thereof for interlocking in a link of one of said Chains and holding said bar against transverse movement relative to said chain.

Signed at Jersey City in the county of Hudson and State of N ew Jersey this 4th day of May A. D. 1909.

PAUL L. CROVVE.

Witnesses:

Q. BARRITT, M. F. CARROLL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, lby addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C." 

